Outdoor Kitchen - Hidden Outlet Ideas?

Ozzie_Isaac

Per code, outlets here need to be covered with the enormous bubble covers unless they are under a roof or otherwise protected.  The old school little flappy covers do not count.

Does anyone have any ideas on how to hide the outlets, or otherwise keep them accessible, but also not in the way?

Here was something I was thinking:

Leviton PFUS2-BN Pop-Up Floor Box with Dual Type A, 3.6 Amp USB Charger, 20Amp Outlet, Brushed Nickel

 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07RM4L7X7/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_i_5X03E8D1FGKANRMYBDH1?psc=1

nolaegghead

Put these on all the outlets:

Outdoor cover plates

Then after the inspection, install whatever outlets you like, as long as they're on GFCI you should be fine.

Trick learned the hard way:

GFCI outlets outdoors do not last long, at least in my climate.  Install GFCI breakers on your load center panel instead.

Ozzie_Isaac

nolaegghead said:

Put these on all the outlets:

Outdoor cover plates

Then after the inspection, install whatever outlets you like, as long as they're on GFCI you should be fine.

Trick learned the hard way:

GFCI outlets outdoors do not last long, at least in my climate.  Install GFCI breakers on your load center panel instead.

Great tip on the GFCI breaker instead of an outlet.  I have had the same lackluster life from outdoor GFCI outlets even in the desert.

nolaegghead

I have replace the GFCI outlet on my front porch 3 times.  The last time it was an expensive "premium" outlet.  It's tripping out again.  Any real electrician knows this, but some hacks don't:  you don't chain GFCI outlets, only need one between the line and the unprotected outlets.  But if you do the breakers you will not care at all about GFCI outlets.

I highly recommend the hospital grade outlets for outdoors.  They are not cheap but they hold up better.  Unfortunately it can be hard to find them in any color other than orange or red (at least at my Home Despot).  May have changed, I dunno.  Just looked - there are "industrial grade" outlets that are white.  These can cost as much as cheaper GFCI outlets but worth it.

If you are into "overdoing", this stuff is magical.  Smear some on outdoor contacts that can get wet, even work some in your 120v plugs.

Good Sh!t Here (not pr0n, I swear)

fishlessman

Ozzie_Isaac said:

Per code, outlets here need to be covered with the enormous bubble covers unless they are under a roof or otherwise protected.  The old school little flappy covers do not count.

Does anyone have any ideas on how to hide the outlets, or otherwise keep them accessible, but also not in the way?

Here was something I was thinking:

Leviton PFUS2-BN Pop-Up Floor Box with Dual Type A, 3.6 Amp USB Charger, 20Amp Outlet, Brushed Nickel

 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07RM4L7X7/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_i_5X03E8D1FGKANRMYBDH1?psc=1

they dont say anything about outdoor use. i would do what nola says, put in covers or the cheapest outdoor ones you can find and install the others later after final inspection.

Thatgrimguy

I hid mine inside my cabinets. 

saluki2007

Hidden Outlet | Houzz

Some ideas here

Ozzie_Isaac

saluki2007 said:

Hidden Outlet | Houzz

Some ideas here

Lots of cool ideas there.  Thank you.

jdMyers

I used cover plates until the inspection was over.  I used a gfi on the 1st outlet on the side of the house in a bubble. then wr outlets with individual flip cap plate covers on everything.  No issues. 

RRP

jdMyers said:

I used cover plates until the inspection was over.  I used a gfi on the 1st outlet on the side of the house in a bubble. then wr outlets with individual flip cap plate covers on everything.  No issues. 

I’ve used one of these for years through an exterior brick wall. Grated I’ve never had an inspection, but I’ve never had a circuit breaker to even trip indicating a failure.

littlerascal56

There is a NEC code for outdoor kitchens.  Think it requires 2-20 amp receptacles.  Be aware that the Panel mount GFCI breakers are damn expensive, where the outlet GFCI receptacle is very reasonable in cost.  Just something to think about!

danhoo

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Sigma-Electric-Weatherproof-Receptacle-Kit-1-Gang-Bronze-Metal-Weatherproof-New-Work-Standard-Switch-Outlet-Exterior-Electrical-Box/1000478523

fishlessman

looking at these more and more, i might get these for the boat and run 12 volts thru them for the electric stuff on the transom, the regular outdoor boxes with the flip covers are a pain tangling with all the lines i run back there. its a mess out there as it is with three batteries in the open